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Geosyntec <br /> i C11151111,111Ch <br /> 2.4 Nature and Extent of Sulfolane Impacts <br /> Historical groundwater monitoring data and preliminary results from the ongoing supplemental <br /> characterization suggest that sulfolane in the eastern portion of the Site has migrated vertically <br /> downward to the well-graded sand and gravel layer overlying the Corcoran Clay,and then laterally <br /> through this transmissive layer towards the water supply wells. Consistent with the geologic logs, <br /> preliminary results from ongoing supplemental characterization suggest that the primary sulfolane <br /> transport pathway in the eastern portion of the Site near the BSW and the PSW is within the <br /> approximately 20 to 30-foot-thick highly transmissive well-graded sand and gravel layer overlying <br /> the Corcoran Clay (Figure 3). <br /> Preliminary grab-groundwater and monitoring well results from Locations 1 through 4 of the <br /> supplemental characterization work (Figure 3) are available and indicate that sulfolane <br /> concentrations in the transmissive layer above the Corcoran Clay in vicinity of the PSW and BSW <br /> range from 57 to 200 micrograms per liter (µg/L) and 230 to 730 µg/L, respectively. Sulfolane <br /> concentrations at Location 1, which is closest to LWD-10, were 32 ug/L in the groundwater grab <br /> sample but were non-detect (<10 µg/L) in the monitoring well sample. The monitoring well <br /> sample was collected at a time when LWD-9 and 10 were not pumping. <br /> 2.5 Preliminary Evaluation of Potential Remedial Alternatives <br /> Concurrent with the ongoing supplemental characterization, Geosyntec has undertaken a <br /> preliminary evaluation of potential remedial alternatives to prevent migration of sulfolane from <br /> the Site towards the Simplot and LWD supply wells. The potential remedial alternatives <br /> considered included ISB using biosparging or passive-diffusion barriers and ex-situ biological <br /> treatment using various types of bioreactors and treated water discharge options. Considering <br /> timing, implementability and likely effectiveness, and given the recent repeatable observations of <br /> sulfolane degradation (presumed to be aerobic biodegradation) in un-preserved BSW water <br /> samples, ISB using biosparging was considered to be a feasible remediation approach to degrade <br /> and prevent further Sulfolane migration towards the supply wells. <br /> As indicated above, Sulfolane in unpreserved BSW samples completely degraded during transit to <br /> the analytical laboratory. In addition, sulfolane spiked into the same BSW sample continued to <br /> exhibit complete degradation within 2 hours, confirming previous evidence of biodegradation. <br /> Similar sulfolane degradation was not observed in groundwater collected from the PSW, <br /> suggesting that either the naturally-occurring microorganisms in the subsurface at the PSW have <br /> not yet evolved to biodegrade sulfolane,the right nutrients are not available for the microorganisms <br /> to degrade sulfolane, or that the observed degradation in the BSW groundwater is related to other <br /> degradation mechanisms (anaerobic or abiotic). <br /> To confirm the degradation mechanism, focused microcosm studies are being conducted using <br /> aquifer material and groundwater from the supplemental characterization locations near the BSW <br /> (Location 3), the PSW (Location 2) and LWD-10 (Location 1), concurrent with the development <br /> of this Work Plan. The objectives of microcosm studies are to confirm the observed sulfolane <br /> In-Situ Bioremediation Pilot Test Work Plan—GSH Lathrop 4 <br />